Cast
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Kay Lenz
as Sarah Goodwin
Shelley Winters
as Mrs. Erica Hunter
Tony Bill
as Paul Yates
Kathryn Grant
as Mrs. Goodwin
Morgan Fairchild
as Jennifer Lawrence
Morgan Brittany
as Patty Goodwin
Robert Hays
as Scott Rafferty
Tisa Farrow
as Alberta 'Mouse'
Elizabeth Stack
as Laura O'Neil
Deborah Ryan
as Bobbie Adams
Nora Heflin
as Barbara
Talia Balsam
as Allison
Michael Talbott
as Freddie
Jennifer Gay
as Kathy Anderson
Susan Duvall
as Regina Wilson
Crew
Director
- Robert Day
Producer
- Jay Benson
Reviews
Wuchak
_**A Tale of Two Sororities with telekinesis and a dab of the occult**_
Two loving sisters, one beautiful & popular and the other adopted & withdrawn (Morgan Brittany & Kay Lenz), start college in SoCal where the former is accepted by an uppity sorority while the latter joins a sorority of outcasts. Havoc ensues. Costars include: Morgan Fairchild, Shelley Winters, Tony Bill and Robert Hays.
"The Initiation of Sarah" (1978) is a television knockoff of “Carrie” (1976) mixed with “Satan’s School for Girls” (1973). While not on the level of the former, it’s superior to the latter because it’s dramatically weightier, plus you can’t beat the notable cast (this was before Fairchild and Brittany shot to fame).
It was remade in 2006 with Morgan Fairchild returning as the mother of the two sisters, Mrs. Goodwin.
The movie runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot at S. Lorraine Blvd, Los Angeles (the PED sorority house) and California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.
GRADE: B
Mar 6, 2022
JPV852
Definitely has flavors of Carrie in this TV movie but still pretty entertaining though does lag some in the second act before redeeming itself with a satisfying finale. Solid performances including Kay Lenz as Sarah. **3.75/5**
Jun 17, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/TV Movie film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Initiation of Sarah presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Robert Day brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1978, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Initiation of Sarah took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 132 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 1978, when this film was released:
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- Environmental awareness was growing as a social concern.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: February 6, 1978
- Runtime: 1h 36m
Where to Watch
